When a hard drive’s read/write heads go bad, it often means the drive itself is failing. However, in some cases it may be possible to recover data from a drive with bad heads before it fails completely. Here is an in-depth look at recovering data from a hard drive with failing heads.
What Causes Read/Write Heads to Go Bad?
The read/write heads are extremely fragile components inside a hard drive. They float just above the drive’s spinning platters and read/write data. There are a few common causes of read/write head failure:
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Frequent head crashes – If the head crashes into the platter repeatedly, it can suffer physical damage over time. This is often caused by external shocks/vibrations or platter warping.
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Motor issues – Problems with the motor that spins the platters can cause the heads to oscillate or drift into the platters.
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Contamination – Dust, smoke particles, or humidity can contaminate the head over time leading to failure.
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Wear and tear – The heads have delicate coil wiring, joints, and surfaces that can degrade over time with constant use.
In summary, physical trauma, mechanical issues, contaminants, and old age can all contribute to read/write head failure.
Signs Your Hard Drive Has Bad Heads
There are a few symptoms that indicate the read/write heads are failing or have failed completely:
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Clicking noises – A repetitive ticking or clicking sound coming from the drive is a sign the heads are malfunctioning.
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Not detected by computer – If the computer doesn’t detect the hard drive at all, the heads may be too damaged to read drive components.
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I/O errors – Any kind of input/output error that mentions the head specifically indicates it is having issues.
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Difficulty accessing data – You may be able to access the drive, but have trouble opening or reading files due to head problems.
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Drive not spinning up – Failed heads can prevent the motor from spinning up altogether.
In summary, clicking noises, detection issues, I/O errors, data access issues, and spindle motor problems all point to possible head failure.
Is Data Recovery Possible With Bad Heads?
Data recovery from a drive with bad heads depends on the extent of the head damage:
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If the heads are mildly damaged or intermittently working, data recovery is often possible by reading sectors during brief working periods.
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If the heads have completely ceased to function, but the drive still spins up, recovery may be possible by doing a head swap with matching donor heads.
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If the heads are damaged beyond use and the drive won’t spin up, recovering data is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
So in summary, minor head damage allows for better chances of data recovery than catastrophic head failure accompanied by motor issues.
Best Practices for Recovering Data from a Failing Hard Drive
If you suspect your hard drive has failing heads, follow these best practices to give data recovery the best chance of success:
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Stop using the drive immediately – Continued use spreads damage and reduces recovery chances.
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Do not open the drive – Opening the hard drive exposes it to contaminants that speed deterioration.
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Find a professional data recovery service – Professional have tools like clean rooms and head swaps to recover data from failing drives.
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Avoid software fixes – Software repairs can disturb the drive and destroy recoverable sectors.
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Clone the drive if possible – Cloning creates a complete sector copy for recovery if the original drive fails entirely.
In summary, stop using the drive, don’t open it, clone it if possible, and send it to professionals for the best chance at data recovery.
FAQs About Recovering Data from a Hard Drive with Bad Heads
Can I recover data from a hard drive with bad heads myself?
It’s not recommended. Opening a hard drive exposes it to contaminants. Recovering data requires special tools and techniques best left to professionals with access to clean rooms and spare parts.
How much does professional data recovery cost for drives with bad heads?
Costs range from $300 to over $1000 depending on drive size, failure complexity, and needed techniques like head swaps. However, this is often less than the value of irreplaceable data.
Is data recovery guaranteed if my drive has bad heads?
There are no guarantees with hard drive recovery. However, reputable companies boast recovery rates over 90% when drives have repairable head damage. Catastrophic damage can make recovery impossible though.
Can I prevent my hard drive heads from failing?
You can maximize head lifespan through cooling, anti-vibration mounting, avoiding shocks, and regular backups. However, head failures from wear are inevitable over time. Following best practices helps extend their usable life.
Are solid state drives (SSDs) prone to head failures like hard disk drives (HDDs)?
No, SSDs have no moving parts and no physical heads. However, SSDs can still fail and lose data over time through different mechanisms, like dead NAND flash or controller malfunctions.
In summary, you should utilize reputable professionals, manage expectations carefully, and focus on prevention through care, maintenance and backups.
Conclusion
Recovering data from a hard drive with bad heads presents challenges, but is possible in many cases if proper precautions are taken. Minor head damage has better prognosis than catastrophic failure. Quickly removing a failing drive from use and leveraging professional recovery minimizes damage and maximizes recoverable data. While there are no guarantees, reputable services can often recover vast amounts of irreplaceable data even from drives with degraded heads. With proper care and maintenance, head lifespan can be extended, but failures from wear are inevitable over time. Regular backups provide the best protection against catastrophic drive failure.
